Case honors Kekaha Federal Credit Union, recipient of
Dora Maxwell social responsibility award in Washington, D.C.

Kekaha Federal Credit Union Manager and Treasurer Scot Tsuchiyama (left) meets with Congressman Ed Case in Case’s Washington, D.C. office today. Case congratulated Tsuchiyama who accepted a prestigious industry award in D.C. last night on behalf of his credit union (see news release). Tsuchiyama was among Hawaii Credit Union League representatives who met with Case today to discuss federal legislation affecting their industry.

 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ed Case (2nd District, Hawaii) today said a special project partnering the employees of Kekaha Federal Credit Union and the students of Kekaha Elementary School will now serve as a national model for outstanding social responsibility and academic achievement.

Kekaha Federal Credit Union won the 2005 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award for its establishment of an educational program that’s being credited for helping Kekaha Elementary School students to achieve passing levels on state standardized tests during the last two consecutive testing periods. Kekaha FCU Manager and Treasurer Scot Tsuchiyama received the award in Washington, D.C. yesterday.

Dora Maxwell is recognized as one of the original pioneers of the credit union movement. The award that bears her name was created to promote social responsibility among credit unions by formally recognizing and celebrating their social achievements.
 

“The partnership between the two produced the Maximum Communication Journal program, or MAX program, which has encouraged Kekaha Elementary’s students to pursue daily excellence in the class work and homework while also involving parents in their childrens’ work,” said Case in remarks submitted to the Congressional Record. “The MAX program has achieved its goals of attracting an 80 percent participation rate by students over four semesters and, more importantly, helping students achieve state standardized testing benchmarks.”

The MAX program began in January 2004 when the credit union initiated a partnership with the Kekaha Elementary School to begin the MAX program. The program requires students to keep a journal of class activities and homework, including notes and notices from teachers and the school. Each student is required to have his/her parents or guardians read and sign the MAX notebook each week which ensures communication among students, parents, teachers, and the school.

During school assemblies, the MAX program offered prizes, such as boogie boards, movie passes and bicycles, to students and the class with the highest percentage of completed and signed. “The celebration assemblies are fun and crazy. Parents are invited to attend and the kids are happy and excited,” said Billy Smith, the principal of Kekaha Elementary School.

Kekaha Elementary School serves a largely low-income community of 3,700 residents who include native Hawaiian and immigrant families. Eleven percent of the schools students speak English as a second language, and 62 percent qualify for free or reduced lunches as a result of their income status.

Chartered in 1938 to serve the employees of the Kekaha Sugar Company, the Kekaha Federal Credit Union has 1,500 members that include businesses and individuals throughout the island of Kauai. It also acts as a Community Development Credit Union, catering to the financial needs of low-income individuals. Kekaha FCU's members are among over 700,000 credit union members statewide.

“I want to recognize and commend Kekaha Federal Credit Union not only for sponsoring this important and innovative program, but for receiving this national recognition by the Credit Union National Association. This award is just another example of the great work and strong personal relationships that our credit unions provide their respective communities, and represents a perfect union of the very best of credit unions and community service,” said Case.

Today Case met with representatives of Hawaii’s credit unions to discuss pending issues of importance to Hawaii’s credit unions. Case is an original cosponsor of H.R. 2317, the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act. Supported by the Hawaii Credit Union League and Credit Union National Association, the bill would improve the regulatory environment for the nation’s credit unions and allow them to better serve our nation’s communities.